Mechanism for dropping and weighing boat anchors



June 6, 1933- w. A. HAUSENFLUCK MECHANISM FOR DROPPING AND WEIGHINGBGA'I ANCHORS Filed Jan. 6, 1932 .4 Sheets-Sheet l awe/M011WflHawsefilacR,

June 6, 1933. w. A. HAUSENFLUCK 6 MECHANISM FOR DROPPING AND WEIG'HINGBOAT ANCHORS Filed Jan. 6, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Elma/WM wflHawsewfluch,

June 6, 1933. w. A. HAUSENFLUCK MECHANISM FOR DROPPING AND WEIGHING BOATANCHORS Filed Jan. 6, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 gwue/wfm WuZHa may/flack,-

June 6, 1933. w. A. HAUSENFLUCK 1,912,366

MECHANISM FOR DROPPING AND WEIGHING BOAT ANCHQRS Filed Jan. 6, 1952 4Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented June 6, 1933 WILLIAM A. EAUSENFLUGK, GEWASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA MECHANISM: FOR EROPPZNG: XE EIGZ-EING-BOAT ANCHORS Application filed January 6, 1932.

This invention relates to a mechanism for weighing and dropping boatanchors, particularly anchors of the so-called Navy type which arecharacterized by th lack of a stock or cross bar at the chain end of theshank and by the provision of a pivoted head having flakes at oppositesides of the shank disposed in a common lane, and has for its generalobject to provide a mechanism which is efiective during weighing of ananchor of the character mentioned, and as the anchor approaches the sideof the boat, to swing the flukes thereof upward and outward to avoid anypossibility of the pointed ends of the flukes digging into or otherwisemarring the boats side.

According to the invention, a fluke swinging device is projected fromthe side of the boat as weighing of the anchor is initiated and is heldprojected until upward and outward swinging movement of the flukes hasbeen etiected whereby any possibility of the ends of the flukes digg' ginto the boats side is avoided, and in this connection special obj ctsof the invention are: To provide novel means to hold the fluke swingingdevice against projection during lowering of the anchor and while theboat is anchored, thereby to avoid an undesirable projection extendingfrom the boats side during such times; to provide novel means to efiectpro- 'ection of the fluke sw nging device as raising of the anchor isinitiated, and to hold the same projected until the flukes have beenswung; and to provide novel means whereby movement of the anchor to astowed position, following upward and outward swinging of the flukesthereof, effects retraction of the swinging device, thereby to avoid anypossibility of the iiukes dropping to a position in which they mightdiginto the boats side during the final weighing movement of the anchor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism having thegeneral mode of operation set forth and which is compact, strong anddurable, which is of relatively inexpensive and simple construction, andwhich is positive, reliable and highly efficient in operation.

Serial No. 585,080.

WVith the foregoing and various other ob jects in view, which willbecome more fully apparent as the nature of the invention is betterunderstood, the same consists in the novel features of construction,combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fullydescribed, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and defined in theappended claims.

In the drawings, wherein like characters of reference denotecorresponding parts in the different views Figure 1 is a section througha part of a boats hull showing the present anchor weigh-- ing anddropping mechanism operatively applied to the hull and with the parts ofthe mechanism in the relative positions they assume when the anchor isdropped.

Figure 2 is a view similar-to Figure 1 illustrating the relativepositions assumed by the parts of the mechanism as weighing of theanchor is initiated and during weighing, but prior to swinging of theanchor flulres.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figures 1 and 2 illustrating the manner inwhich the anchor fiukes are swung upward and outward during the finalportion of the weighing movement of the anchor.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figures 1 to 3 illustrating the anchorstowed.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the mechanism.

Figure 6 is an end view of the fluke swinging element of the mechanism.

Figure 7 is a plan view of the fluke swinging element of the mechanism.

Figure 8 is an elevation of the anchor.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the chain guide element of themechanism; and

Figure 10 is a detail section on the line 101O of Figure 4.

lVhile the mechanism constituting the present invention is capable ofuse on boats of various different types and sizes it is especiallyadapted for use on pleasure boats of the cruiser type to eliminate thedisagreeable and 95 diflicult task of dropping and weighing anchormanually.

The anchor in most common use is the socalled Navy anchor characterized,as aforesaid, by the lack of a stock and the provision 100 of a pivotedhead which is inclusive of flukes located at opposite sides of the shankand disposed in a common plane, the popularity of this type of anchorbeing due principally to the fact that it does not occupy much spacewhen stowed, and is easily stowed, and to the fact that it holds welldue to the flukes being capable of only limited pivotal movementrelative to the shank and to their consequent tendency to dig fartherinto the bottom of a water body as the pull on the anchor is increased.However, since it is natural that the flukes of an anchor of the typementioned should lean towards the side of the boat when the anchor isbeing weighed, it practically always happens that the pointed ends ofthe fiukes strike against or dig into the side of the boat and leaveugly scars unless considerable care is exercised in weighing the anchor,or unless some special means is provided to hold the anchor away fromthe boats side. Accordingly, while the present invention has primarilyin view to provide a power mechanism for dropping and weighing anchors,it also has in view to provide a mechanism which will serve to preventscarring or damaging contact of the anchor with the boats side duringdropping and weighing of the anchor.

A so-called Navy anchor of the type heretofore discussed comprises, asillustrated in the drawings, a stockless shank 10 and a linked head 11pivoted to the outer end of the shank for limited swinging movementrelative thereto, whereby the fiukes, designated as 12, are swingablebetween the full and dotted line positions substantially as illustratedin Figure 3 of the drawings.

Referring now particularly to the present specific embodiment of amechanism which is constructed, and designed for operation, inaccordance with the general principles of the invention, it will beobserved that the same is inclusive of a tube 13 which extends at itslower end through an opening suitably located in the boats side 14 andwhich is suitably secured rigidly to the boats side at this point as,for example, by means of cooperating flanges 15 respectively engagingthe inner and the outer faces of the side 14. This tube 13 wnich is ofappropriate length, is disposed within the hull of the boat at adownward and outward inclination and at its upper end is effectivelybraced by a suitably stayed and substantially rigid framework designatedgenerally as 16.

lVithin the tube 13 is slidably mounted a fluke swinging tube 1'? which,at its upper or inner end, is slidably engaged over a guide tube section18 fixed at its upper end to an upper part of the frame 16, and which,at its lower or outer end is suitably provided, at the top side thereof,with a tongue 19 for engagement with the head 11 of the anchor to effectupward and outward. swinging movement thereof in a manner which willhereinafter become more clearly apparent. Below the tongue 19 the tube17 is cut away, as indicated at 20, to avoid any interference withswinging of the anchor head by said tongue.

lournaled in bearings 21 carried by the framework 16 is a horizontal.shaft 22 on which is fixed a gear wheel 23 and a sheave wheel 24, thesheave wheel being disposed with one side thereof alined with the tubes13, l? and 18 and having engaged thereover the anchor chain whichextends from said wheel downwardly through the guide tube 18 and througha guide block 26 which is slidably mounted within the tube 17. From theguide block 26 the chain extends through the lower or outer end portionof the tube 13 and at its end is connected by a special link 2'? withthe shank 10 of the anchor, said link 27 having a laterally extendingpin 28 for a purpose which will later appear.

l'rlounted on the framework 16 is a reversible electric motor to theshaft 30 of which is fixed a gear 31 which is dispos d in mesh with thegear Accordingly, rotation of said motor in one direction is effectiveto pay out the chain 25 to lower the anchor, while rotation thereof inan opposite direction obviously is effective to pull in the chain toweigh the anchor.

A part of the motor shaft 30 is formed with a spiral groove 32 and hasloosely mounted thereon an inertia member 33 in the form of a collar ofsuitable weight which is provided with a pin 34 disposed within thegroove 32. Accordingly, in view of the tendency of said collar not torotate when rotation is imparted to the motor shaft, the result is thatwhen rotation of the motor shaft is initiated, said collar is caused totravel along saidshaft.

Embracing the collar 83 is a band 35 within which the collar isrotatable, while pivoted at a point intermediate its ends, as at 36, tothe fran'iework 16 is a lever 37 having at one end thereof yoke arms 38which embrace the band and which have slots 39 in which are disposedpins 40 projecting from the band 35. Accordingly, movement of the collaralong the motor shaft is effective to rock the lever 37.

The second end of the lever 37 is formed with a slot 41 and has disposedwithin said slot a pin 42 whi h serves to pivotally connect together theadjacent ends of a pair of toggle links &3 and 44:, one of which ispivoted at its other end to the framework 16, as at 45, and the other ofwhich is pivoted at its other end, as at 4-6, to a band 47 fixed to theupper end of the tube 17. Therefore, rocking movementof the lever 37 ina counterclockwise direction, according to the particular structuralarrangement illustrated in the present instance, obviously is effectiveto break the toggle and to effect projection of the tube 17 in anoutward direction through the tube 13. In this connection it is pointedout that when the anchor is in a lowered position the tube 17 is in aretracted position and that the arrangement of the parts of themechanism is such that initiation of rotation of the motor in adirection to pull in the chain to weigh the anchor is effective to movethe collar 33 along the shaft in a direction to swing the lever 37 tobreak the toggle 43, 44 and thus effect projection of the tube 17.

The tube 17 is held against rotation by the toggle arms 43, 44, or isheld against rotation in any other suitable manner, and has formedtherein a longitudinally ,Xtending slot 48 into which projects a pin 49carried by the heretofore mentioned chain guide block 26. Accordingly,the block 26 is held against rotation, and inasmuch as the opening 50that is formed through said block for the passage of the chain 25therethrough is of cross-shape, as illustrated in Figure 9 thereby tohold the chain against rotation, it follows that whenever the chain ispulled to weigh the anchor the last link 27 of the chain alwaysapproaches the block 26 in a certain definite relation thereto, andthat, likewise, the shank 10 of the anchor always enters the tube 17 ina certain definite relation thereto; i. e;, with the pivot of the head11 disposed horizontally.

The block 26 is suitably recessed exteriorly to accommodate a latch 51which is intermediately pivoted to the block as at 52, and

I said latch is either of the gravity type or pressed by a spring 53 sothat when the block is disposed within the lower or outer end portion ofthe tube 17 the inner end of the latch is caused to engage in a recess54 formed in said tube whereby the block is held against inward movementrelative thereto.

The block 26 is limited in its outward movement relative to the tube 17by engagement of the pin 49 with the lower end of the slot 43, and whensaid block is disposed at its limit of outward movement, with the innerend of the latch 51 engaged in the recess 54, the outer end of saidlatch is disposed in the path of movement of the pin 28 carried by thechain link 27, whereby the latch is tripped and released only when,during pulling of the chain to weigh the anchor, the shank 10 of theanchor has entered the lower end of the tube 17.

Assuming that the anchor is overboard and that the parts of themechanism are disposed relatively as shown in Figure 1; that is, thatthe. tube 17 is in its retracted position that the block 26 is in itsoutermost position and is held in this position by the latch 52, andthat the collar 33 is disposed on the motor shaft 30 in a position to bemoved along said shaft in a direction to swing the lever 37 to break thetoggle 43, 44 thereby to effect projection of the tube 17 when rotationof the motor in a direction to effect a pulling in of the chain 25 isinitiated, the operation of the mechanism will be apparent and is as follows: A suitably located switch is operated to close the motor circuitto cause rotation of the motor in a direction to effect a winding in ofthe anchor chain by the sheave wheel 24, and as the motor starts torotate at relatively high speed, due to its reduction gear connectionwith the sheave wheel 24, the collar 33 is shifted along the shaft 30 ina direction to swing the lever 37 to break the toggle 43, 44, thus toeffect projection of the tube 17 outwardly through the tube 13 to theposition shown in Figure 2. Now, since continued rotation of the motorshaft tends to continue the movement of the collar 33 along said shaftin the direction mentioned, the toggle is maintained broken and the tube17 is.

maintained projected (in part by its own weight) while the anchor isbeing weighed. When, however, the link 27 of the chain 25 approaches theblock 26, the pin or projection 28 of said link engages the outer end ofthe lever 51 and trips the same to effect its disengagement from therecess 54. Thereupon, the block 26 is moved with the chain upward intothe tube 17 and serves to hold the chain and therefore the anchor shankagainst rotation, so that the anchor head 11 is caused to approach thetongue 19 in the manner aforesaid; i. e., with the pivot of the anchorhead disposed substantially horizontally. Therefore, if the flukes 12 ofthe anchor are disposed, as they usually are, at an inward inclinationrelative to the anchor shank, as illustrated in full lines in Figure 3,the result of continued inward movement of the chain and the anchor isto cause the upper side of the anchor head to abut against the tongue 19at the outer end of the tube 17, whereby further inward movement of thechain and the anchor is effective to cause the tongue 19, by resistinginward movement of the anchor head at the upper side thereof, to exert alever action on said head resulting in the flukes 12 being flipped orswung upward and outward to the dotted line position shown in Figure 3.Now, inasmuch as the chain and the anchor can no longer move inwardrelative to the tube 17 it follows that any further inward movement ofthe chain and the anchor is effective to overcome the weight of saidtube 17 and the tendency of the collar 33 acting through the toggle tohold said tube in its projected position, whereby the final portion ofthe weighing movement of the anchor is effective to retract the tube 17into the tube 13. And, ob-

viously, since inward movement of the tube 17 is effected because ofengagement of the anchor head with the tongue 19, it follows that theflukes of the anchor are maintained in the dotted line position ofFigure 3 until,

finally, they come to rest against the outer flange element 15, justprior to which time an upper end portion of the tube 17 engages andactuates a suitable switch to break the motor circuit. Thus, the finalrelative position of the elements of the mechanism when the anchor isweighed is substantially as illustrated in Figure 4, in which positionsaid elements are held by the toggle links 43, 44 and their associatedparts.

Any suitable means may be provided to temporarily close the motorcircuit to cause rotation of the motor in a direction to pay out thechain 25 to lower the anchor, whereupon a spring 56 operates to closethe switch 55 to adapt the same for actuating to automatically open themotor circuit when the anchor again is weighed, and as the chain 25 isallowed to run out, the block 26 is carried with the chain and by itstendency to gravitate through the tube 17, to its lowermost positionshown in Figure 1, whereby, upon subsequently closing the motor circuitto effect rotation thereof in a direction to weigh the anchor theoperation just recounted is repeated.

To adopt the mechanism for manual operation in the event of failure ofthe motor to function, or in the event it is not desired to use themotor, or if a motor is not provided, the shaft 30 is equipped with agear 57 having meshing therewith a gear 58 the shaft of which issuitably formed to accommodate a crank.

It will, of course, be understood that the circuit to the motor forcontrolling the movement of the anchor chain can be closed at any one ofa number of points in the vessel, as for example, from the cabin, orelsewhere. An ordinary push-button or other type of switch may be usedfor the purpose and the necessary electrical energy for the motor may besupplied from storage batteries or other electrical source provided onthe vessel.

The present invention also particularly lends itself to be incorporatedin the structure of the vessel so that it may be concealed from view.That is to say, the mechanism for operating the anchor may be arrangedbeneath the deck so as to preserve the smart appearance of the boat andwithout necessitating the marring or cutting of completed boats in whichit may be installed.

Without further description it is thought that the features andadvantages of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled inthe art, and it will of course be understood that changes in the form,proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention and scope of the appendedclaims.

I claim v 1. A mechanism to be carried by a boat for weighing anchors ofthe type having pivoted flukes comprising means operable to pull theanchor to a weighed position against the side of the boat, and meansrendered eifective by weighing movement of the anchor to swing theflukes thereof outwardly relative to the side of the boat thereby toprevent the ends of the flukes from contacting with the boat.

2. A mechanism to be carried by a boat for weighing anchors of thepivoted fluke type comprising means operable to pull the anchor to aweighed position against the side of the boat, and means projectiblefrom the boat by actuation of the mechanism to weigh the anchor andrendered eifective by weighing movement of the anchor to swing theflukes thereof outwardly relative to the side of the boat thereby toprevent marring contact of the flukes with the boat.

3. A mechanism to be carried by a boat for weighing anchors of thepivoted fluke type comprising means for weighing the anchor. meansrendered effective by weighing movement of the anchor to swing thefiukes thereof to prevent harmful contact of the fiukes with the boat,and means to assure that when the anchor approaches said fluke swingingmeans during weighing of the anchor the latter will be disposed in acorrect position relative to the fluke swinging means to have the flukesthereof swung by said means.

4. An anchor weighing mechanism for boats comprising means for weighingthe anchor, and a normally retracted member projectible by operation ofthe mechanism to weigh the anchor and effective when projected to holdthe anchor from damaging contact with the boats side during the finalportion of the weighing movement of the anchor. I

5. An anchor weighing mechanism for boats comprising means for weighingthe anchor, a member projectible by operation of the mechanism to weighthe anchor and effective when projected to hold the anchor from damagingcontact with the boats side during the final portion of the weighingmovement of the anchor, and means whereby the final portion of theweighing movement of the anchor effects retraction of said member.

6. An anchor weighing mechanism for boats comprising an anchor lineguide tube slidably mounted for projection and retraction relative tothe boats side, means to pull the anchor line through said guide tube toweigh the anchor, and means whereby operation of said first named meansto pull the anchor line effects projection of said tube to a position inwhich it prevents damaging contact of the anchor with the boats sideduring the final portion of the weighing movement of the anchor.

7. An anchor weighing 'mechanism for boats comprising an anchor lineguide tube slidably mounted for projection and retraction relative tothe boats side, power means to pull the anchor line through said guidetube to weigh the anchor, means whereby operation of said power means toweigh the anchor effects projection of said tube, and means carried bysaid tube for engagement with the anchor head to swing the same toprevent harmful contact of the anchor flukes with the side of the boat.

8. An anchor weighing mechanism for boats comprising an anchor lineguide tube slidably mounted for projection and retraction relative tothe boats side, power means to pull the anchor line through said guidetube to weigh the anchor, a toggle mechanism operatively connected withsaid tube and said power means and operable by actuation of the powermeans to weigh the anchor to effect projection of said tube, meanswhereby said tube when projected prevents harmful contact of the anchorwith the side of the boat during weighing of the anchor, and meanswhereby the final portion of the weighing iovement of the anchor effectsretraction of said tube.

9. An anchor weighing mechanism for boats comprising an anchor flukeswinging member mounted for projection and retraction relative to theboats side, power means for actuating the anchor line to drop and weighthe anchor, means whereby said member is held in a retracted positionduring dropping of the anchor and until weighing of the anchor isinitiated, means whereby operation of said power means to weigh theanchor effects projection of said member and holds the same projecteduntil weighing of the anchor is substantially completed, and meanswhereby said member when projected is effective during and by the finalportion of the weighing movement of the anchor to swing the flukesthereof to avoid any harmful contact of the flukes with the boats side.

10L An anchor weighing mechanism for boats comprising an anchor chainguide tube mounted for projection and retraction relative to the boatsside, means for paying out and pulling in the anchor chain to drop andweigh the anchor, respectively, an anchor chain guide block slidably andnon-rotatably mounted in said guide tube; said block having an openingthrough which the anchor chain extends and said opening being of a shapeto hold the chain against rotation whereby the anchor when weighed iscaused always to approach the boat in a certain definite position, saidblock being adapted to be moved to a position within the outer endportion of said tube when the anchor is dropped,

" means for latching the block in that position whereby it is disposedto guide the anchor in predetermined relationship to the outer end ofthe tube when the anchor is weighed, means whereby said tube is held ina retracted position during dropping of the anchor and until weighing ofthe anchor is initiated, means whereby weighing of the anchor effectsprojection of said tube and holds the same projected until weighing ofthe anchor is substantially completed, means whereby the final portionof the weighing movement of the anchor releases the latching means ofsaid block to permit the latter to move inwardly relative to the tubethereby to permit the anchor shank to be accommodated in the outer endportion of the tube, means carried by the outer end of the tube to beengaged by the anchor head during the final portion of the weighingmovement of the anchor and by such engagement to effect swinging of theanchor flukes to avoid any harmful contact of the flukes with the boatsside, and means whereby the final portion of the weighing movement ofthe anchor also effects retraction of said tube.

11. In an anchor weighing mechanism for boats, a tube adapted to projectfrom the boats side and to have the anchor line extend therethrough,means at the outer end of said tube to be engaged by the anchor headduring weighing of the anchor and by such engagement to effect swingingmovement of the head to swing the flukes carried thereby to a positionin which any harmful contact of the same with the boats side isprevented, and means carried by the tube to guide the anchor duringweighing thereof to a position to assure operative engagement of thehead thereof with the head swinging means at the outer end of the tube.

In testimony whereof he hereunto affixes his signature.

WILLIAM A. HAUSENFLUCK.

